According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 37,473 people died in car accidents in 2016, and there are millions of traffic accidents reported across the country every year. If you have been involved in a traffic crash, you should call the police and make sure an accident is filed.
You will need to gather supporting evidence and documentation for your personal injury claim. You should get photos of the accident scene, photos of the damages, statements from eyewitnesses, and other supporting evidence and documentation, such as footage from dashboard cameras or traffic cameras.
There is a strict time limit, called a statute of limitations, for pursuing a personal injury claim after a crash. If you wait too long, you will not recover damages. Make sure you start gathering evidence right away, so you can make sure you get your claim underway and recover your losses.
The Claims Process
You will need to send a demand letter to the liable party, which would also be the driver at-fault for the crash. When you send the letter, you must indicate why you think the other party is liable, what happened, what damages you suffered, the amount of your damages, and when this happened. The letter should be detailed, and you must provide supporting evidence.
Common damages claimed after a highway accident include medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, future loss of earnings, pain and suffering, property damages, and other losses. You will need to provide damage repair estimates, medical bills, medical records, proof of lost wages, the accident report, photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and other evidence.
You will need to send this documentation and itemize your losses. You will then need to add it all up and come up with the total you are asking to cover the damages that you suffered. Always ask for more than the minimal amount that you are willing to settle for, so you can work on negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Personal injury attorneys are experienced in handling auto accident injury claims. Your lawyer will gather supporting evidence and will show that the accident was caused by the negligence of the other driver. With the supporting documentation, you will show your losses and will help you get your claim on the right track.
Personal injury attorneys investigate accidents independently and often uncover evidence that may have not been noticed or uncovered during the initial crash investigation. They will review your medical bills and medical records as well as your lost earnings and determine your future losses associated with the crash.
When you enlist the help of an accident injury lawyer, you will not have to pay anything upfront. Instead, your attorney will take the case on a contingency basis, which means that you will not pay anything upfront and your lawyer will not be paid until you win your claim. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form today.
